Dr. D. Evelyn S. Kandakai was born on March 6, 1950 in Monrovia, Liberia. She holds a number of academic qualifications which include High School Diploma from the College of West Africa (1966), B.Sc. (Biology) from Cuttington College and Divinity School (1970), M.Sc. (Curriculum & Instruction and Tests & Measurement), University of Pennsylvania (1975), and Ed.D. (Curriculum & Teaching), Teachers College, Columbia University (1978).

Dr. Kandakai is a renowned educationist and researcher who has founded/authored/edited a number of publications, contributed several articles in reputable professional journals and delivered numerous papers at local and international conferences/seminars/workshops. She has made significant contributions to educational policy formulation and implementation in the West African Sub-region.

In her career, Dr. Kandakai has served as Executive Director of the Liberia Education Trust (2006); Chairperson of the Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE), Liberia Chapter (elected in July 2005 & July 2008); Consultant for Start-Up of the Liberian Trust-Monrovia (April – July 2006); Guest Lecturer, 15th Endowment Fund Lecture of The West African Examinations Council (March 2010); Keynote Speaker, 63rd National Assembly of the National Teachers’ Association of Liberia (August 2009); Principal Researcher, National Assessment on FAWE/DANIDA TVET Project on the Economic Empowerment of Girls in Post-Conflict Countries (2009); Member, Board of Directors, National Oil Company, Liberia (2006 – 2009); Member, Board of Directors, Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (2009); Member, Board of Directors, Liberia Translation and Literacy Organization (2010); Member, Board of Directors, Liberia Media Initiatives (2009); Member, Board of Directors, William V. S. Tubman University (2009); Lecturer, Graduate School of Education, University of Liberia (1999); Lecturer, Graduate Programme in Education, Cuttington University (2003 to 2008); President, National Peace Council, Universal Peace Federation (2005); Consultant to UNFPA on the State of the World’s Population (2007); and Founder of FAWE, Liberia (launched in December 1998).

Dr. Kandakai was Hon. Minister of Education, Republic of Liberia (appointed in 1997 and 2003); Caucus Member of African Ministries of Education/ADEA Bureau of African Ministers of Education (elected in 1999); Founding Member of Mano River Women Peace Network (2000); Member of the Independent Elections Commission, Republic of Liberia (1997); Member of the Liberia Fund for Disarmament (1994 – 1995); Coordinator for Assessment Reports, UNESCO/UNDP Assessment Mission to Liberia (1994); Co-founder of the Liberian Women Initiative – a women’s peace advocacy group, instrumental in the Liberian peace process (1994); and Chairperson of the Peace Education Committee, National Adult Association of Liberia (1992).

She was also Assistant Education Secretary for Textbooks and Curriculum Development, Catholic Education Secretariat, Monrovia (1991-1997); Acting Chief, Department of Development Services, Liberia Rural Communications Network (1989-1990); Research Coordinator, Department of Development Services, Liberia Rural Communications Network (1985-1989); Technical Coordinator, Education Pre-Service Training, Peace Corps, Liberia (1984-1985); Academic Dean, Cuttington University College (1989-1984); Chairperson, Education Division, Cuttington University College (1979-1981); Assistant Professor, Education Division, Cuttington University College (1978-1974); Library Assistant, Book Acquisition Section, Columbia University Library (1976-1977); Blood/Gas Technician, Philadelphia General Hospital (1974-1975); Teacher/Instructor at various secondary and tertiary institutions (1970-1973); etc.

She is blessed with children.